The state Department of Economic Development reported Tuesday that Missouri’s net nonfarm payroll increased by 21,100 jobs in January. Officials reported that Missouri had a net of loss of 11,800 jobs in December and a loss of 3,300 jobs in November.

Besides expanding payrolls for the first time in three months, Missouri’s unemployment rate in January dropped by half a point to 7.5 percent. That is Missouri’s lowest jobless rate since November 2008.